The Ohio Historical Society has announced it will close 14 of its sites that are managed directly by the society for one week next spring as part of a cost-saving plan. Sites that are owned by the Ohio Historical Society but managed by others are not directly affected by the closure. The society has a network of 58 historic sites and museums.

DSeuss5490

The Armstrong Museum has always been generous to the Boy Scouts. I have spent several nights there over the years "camping" on the floors surrounded by all the artifacts. Quite an experience to say the least.

Concerned that the museum named after native son Neil Armstrong might close in the face of state budget cuts, Wapakoneta-area officials have joined forces in hopes of taking over day-to-day operations of the facility.

The Ohio Historical Society is trying to get local groups to assume daily operations of the Armstrong Air & Space Museum and 16 other historic sites to save money. Gov. Ted Strickland has proposed $5.4 million for the society's sites and museums operations budget next year, down from this year's $7.2 million.

The historical society has promised to keep the Armstrong museum open at least through July 20, the 40th anniversary of Armstrong's historic moonwalk. But if it can't find a group to operate it after that, the museum may have to close, at least temporarily.

Members of a recently-formed committee working to save the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum say they have a potential partner to help operate the facility.

The Ohio Historical Society said earlier this year because of budget cuts the agency would close the facility unless a partnership could be found to take over operations.

John Zwez, the museum's former manager, and Rebecca Macwhinney, the museum's current manager, said negotiations are in the very early stages with an entity that may take over operations. Neither would comment on the identity of the prospective partner.

Gene

Does anyone know the history of the Gemini mock up sitting outside at the Neil Armstrong Museum? It was quite interesting to sit in. Brought the kid out of me (I'm 46), felt like I was 6 all over again!

space1

I know that it used to be at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio. It is especially nice for imagining yourself doing a stand-up EVA, as the right side is open and the seat is easy to stand on.

I have seen another similar unit in storage in Cleveland that is only a partial cockpit. I don't know who made them.

Robert Pearlman

I noticed today that the Armstrong Air and Space Museum now has a website (for many years, it did not). The site includes photo and video galleries, membership information, an online gift store (coming soon) and a calendar of upcoming events.

The site also seems to point to a slight name change for the museum. Previous references called the facility the "Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum." It appears "Neil" has been dropped from the name.

A disclaimer on the museum's website reads:

The museum is owned by the State of Ohio, is part of the Ohio Historical Society’s statewide system of historic sites and museums, and is operated by the local Armstrong Air and Space Museum Association. Neil Armstrong has never been involved in the management of the museum nor benefited from it in any way.

Neil Aldrin

I was down at the Armstrong museum last Friday and I asked a lady that worked there "when was the last time Neil actually visited this place"?

She told me that it was in 1984 or 1986. She then went on to explain to me that Neil was never in favor of the museum and was upset about it being built. She also said that Neil's parents played a big part in the creation of the museum, and for their part in that Neil was not happy with them.

Has anyone heard this before?

Robert Pearlman

James Hansen addresses Neil Armstrong's relationship with the museum in "First Man," including this quote from Armstrong himself:

"If the organizing committee had asked me I'm sure I would have said okay, because it was in the town where my parents lived. Nevertheless, I would have been happier had they not used my name or, if they used my name, they would have used a different approach for the museum.

"I did try to support them in any way I could by presenting them such materials as I had available, either gifting or loaning items."

"From the outset I was uncomfortable because that museum was built as the 'Neil Armstrong Museum.' A number of people came to believe that it was my personal property and a business undertaking of mine. The Ohio Historical Society in Columbus was actually going to be overseeing the museum, and I told its director that I felt uncomfortable. I asked him as well as another member of the planning board if there was anything that could be done about the public image issue and to respond to me about what they thought. They said they would, but they did not."

Hansen goes on to document that Armstrong maintained a strained relationship with the museum, citing for example, a disagreement over the use of his likeness on a postcard sold in the museum's giftshop.

No mention is made however, about Armstrong's family being involved or tension being created between them as a result of it.

p51

I find it particularly ironic that their bookstore carries "First Man," which as Robert has already pointed out, quotes Armstrong as being against the museum in the first place.

Armstrong was always unrealistic about his privacy and people hanging onto his name the way they did, but I agree with him that they probably shouldn't have named the museum without his permission, at least in his lifetime...

Neil Aldrin

Thank you for that information Robert. I am determined to read "First Man", but the number of pages has intimidated me.

Rick Boos

I was a close friend of Neil's mom and dad and I can tell you that they were very much in favor of the building of the Neil Armstrong museum. Was there conflict between them and Neil over its construction? I cannot say as they never mentioned it to me.

RMH

If anyone is planning to go this museum in the next four months, Groupon has special ticket prices for a limited time.

Headshot

Next year we are going to visit the expanded National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton Ohio. Would cS'ers consider a side trip to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum to be worth the effort?

A trip from Wapakoneta to the USAF Museum is about one hour, and then the USAF Museum to Mitchell, Indiana (Gus Grissom's museum) is just over three hours away. I like both side trips and have made them.

GACspaceguy

quote:Originally posted by Headshot: Would cS'ers consider a side trip to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum to be worth the effort?

We always do, it is well worth the time.

Jurg Bolli

Besides the Gemini capsule they have a lot of neat stuff in Wapakoneta. Yes, go and visit!

DSeuss5490

The Armstrong museum is small, but well worth the trip. A block or two off the main road through the town and a few minutes from the museum is Neil Armstrong's boyhood home. You can ask for the address in the museum or Google it.

We were in Wapakoneta about a year ago and afterwards stopped in Captain D's fish restaurant for a quick lunch. We were looking through some items we bought at the museum. A large group of elderly people were there and noticed our souvenirs. Most in the group were long-time Wapakoneta residents and had quite a few neat stories to tell about their hometown friend, classmate and hero.